1st Annual Hoboken Mutzfest

1st Annual Hoboken Mutzfest

The 1st annual Hoboken Mutzfest was held last weekend Most of the mutz producers of Hoboken were in competition. Fiore's was a no-show. M&P Biancamano's swept the awards, taking both the judge's trophy and the people's choice.

It could not happen to nicer people...and it was a wonderful sold-out event that raised funds for great causes...and lifted the spirits of <<<Hoboken>>> after getting hit with such a storm a few months ago.

This sounds like something that would have been on my 2013 calendar had I known about it. It's now on my general 2014 calendar for the 2nd annual(whatever date it might be..). What a great idea, might be the only one in all of the USA. I'm sure there's at least one in Italy somewhere.

And, based on this, it's only $10, for I'm not sure exactly what, but I'd gladly pay twenty next year:

I met Mr. Biancamano while I was up there in November. He was really very hospitable. When he found out I was trying to find Pickleliscious pickles, he went out of his way to help me look for them. I've only had Biancamano's and Fiore's mozzerella, and they weren't side-by-side, so I'm not qualified to judge that. I thought they were both excellent.

Well worth it to enjoy seeing M&P Biancamano raise the trophy in glorious victory once again with their most fantastic fresh mozzarella...in the most exciting small city in America....<<<Hoboken>>> New Jersey!

Well, the 2nd annual is now history. I went with my wife and I don't think I can ever recall eating so much food in a 2 hour period as I did yesterday...and all of it delicious!

It's not clear from the event website, but it's not only about Mozzarella. Each Deli puts out a spread of all sorts of goodies. Basically you are allowed one visit to each table (they punch your checklist card), but there's so much food that it's still impossible to try everything.

My wife and I both voted Vito's Deli as Best Mutz, and they won The Critics choice, while Biancamano won the Peoples Vote for the second year in a row. Biancamano also served an amazing cold cut sandwich. But the best thing I ate all day was a Warm Brisket and Mutz slider from Gigi's Deli. We are already planning a Lunch Day in Hoboken with sandwiches from both Biancamano's and Gigi's.

With over 800 people attending (it was sold out on line, no walk-in sales at all) it was quite a Mob scene, but pretty well organized and there was never a wait of more than 10 minutes at any table. What really struck me was how passionate and helpful the Deli Owners were about their food. Since it was so crowded and busy it was difficult to carry on a real conversation with any of them, but just in exchanging pleasantries with them it was clear how proud they were of what they were serving, and deservedly so.

This was indeed a great event and for a good cause, local Hoboken Charities.

Someone has posted a video of the event on You Tube, including a view of those amazing Biancamano sandwiches, as well As Mr. Biancamano's work of art. A Map of Italy made out of Mozzarella.

Parking can be a major issue in <<<Hoboken>>>... on Washington St. If you can find a spot on Washington...it's also the land of double parking.

But on a nice day it's not difficult to find a spot on a more residential street like Madison...Park or Grand.

It's a small city @ one mile square & rated the most walkable city in America.

It's also a really quick PATH ride from Manhattan. PATH Stations are on Christopher St. 9th - 14th - 23rd & 33rd St. in NYC on the 33rd St line . Those stations are on 6th Ave. There's also a WTC station.

There are public parking garages in Hoboken. Your car will either be raised up over another car or parked beneath the car raised above it. Neither bunk is a comfortable situation in those garages.

In addition to "most walkable city in America", it also has the "most convoluted Parking Rules in America". Basically visitors are limited to only 4 hours of street parking on side streets (and on only one side of the street), or 2 hours at metered Spots, like on Washington street. Be sure to read the parking rules on the city website before going, you'll never be able to figure them out by just looking at the signs when you get there.

Like CC said, free street parking is usually findable, especially the farther North and West you go from Washington street. I'll have to say that Sunday was about as bad as I've seen it, and we drive there a few times a year. It took us at least 15 minutes of driving around until we got lucky. Not sure why, it couldn't have been all Mutzfest people, a lot of whom seemed to be locals.

They are all friends & there's no bitter rivalry. Everyone serves their best...focuses on the food & they are all very secure people.

Fiore's is wonderful & gets most of the media coverage outside of <<<Hoboken>>>. That's great & it certainly has inspired many to take a closer look beyond Fiore's...and see what's what. They have nothing to gain since the majority of the coverage has been about them....as people became aware that it was their RB & FM sandwich featured on 30 Rock.

Up until few years ago most of the media coverage for subs in NJ was mailed in ...at White House subs like the "Peter Luger Peter Luger Peter Luger for steak" syndrome (including Roadfood)...but now we all know <<<Hoboken>>> woohoo! and rightfully so as it's been named #2 small Foodie City in America.

Vito's is also outstanding. Ted Allen included Vito's smoked mozzarella in the Smoky episode of "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" program.

Everyone is pleased as punch for Rosticeria da Gigi to bring it so good...in their first year of business! Last year it was a failing pizza parlor. The landlord of the property had a vacant storefront ...did the right thing...& spun straw into gold.

I think Mutfest is a great idea. I believe the best way & true test to determine the best fresh mozzarella in <<<Hoboken>>> would be to go on a normal day of business when all that extra stuff (Rome being built in a day) & (I won't say organized & mob scene) such a crowd of people are not at play.

I'm so happy for M&P Biancamano. They have won a total of 4 out of 6 categories overall (best sandwich completes the trifecta) of competition & I would bet the ranch that as long as there is a People's Choice category... M&P Biancamamo will win that award every time. Even if/when Fiore's competes in the event.

A great deal of credit has to go to the bread bakers as well. A <<<Hoboken>>> sandwich would not be a <<<Hoboken>>> sandwich without the superb <<<Hoboken>>> bread from Dom's Bakery Grand...Antique Bakery...& Losurdo's.

CC, thanks for all the background info. Fiore's Roast Beef & Mutz sandwich is one of my favorites of all time. Thanks for reminding me. OK, now that's Three sandwiches I will have to get when I go back to Hoboken for lunch.

And it was the bread that put Biancamano's sandwich over the top for us. Do you know whose bread they use?

Schnackenberg's has been beautifully restored (by Chef Eugene Flinn) & a charming place once again to have an egg cream...two doors down from M&P Biancamano.

There are a few subtle differences in the bread from different bakeries & many of the Delis will use more than one source daily for different options preferences of customers...and what they feel might match best with any particular hot or cold sub. A "stick" is another term used for a <<<Hoboken>>> baguette.

Vito's sandwiches are usually made with Dom's Bakery Grand bread. Fiore's as well.

All of the bakery owners learned the way of making bread by-hand from the same source... Leopoldo Policastro (original owner of Marie's Bakery) & use the same coal ovens from 100 years ago.

Fiore's RB & FM is an amazing sandwich. But...Tuesday has always been my favorite day at Fiore's. Tuesday is CB & FM day...